GK: Melissa Maizels (Alamein FC)
Arguably her finest display of the season, and it came in a game where those at the other end earned most of the plaudits. With the game delicately poised at 3-0 for over 50 minutes, Maizels came up trumps on multiple occasions, denying Bulleen with three spectacular second half saves.
RB: Stacey Papadopoulos (Calder United)
Another strong performer from Calder’s win over Galaxy United, Papadopoulos was enterprising on her bursts forward and sturdy in defence to keep her flank quiet. Earned a well-deserved clean sheet and three points.
CB: Harriet Cordner (Alamein FC)
Almost picks herself, given her exploits in an attacking sense, as the towering centre-half put away two headers – one in either half – in Alamein’s mammoth 6-0 win over Bulleen. Her first saw her soar over the pack from a corner to hammer home a brilliant third goal heading into half-time. Contributed to a clean sheet at the other end in a quality performance.
CB: Antonia Niteros (Southern United)
It was a dependable performance from the Southern United captain, who helped organise her defence to best equip themselves to handling the directness of the Bayside United front three. Kept any real threat limited on the day, despite not claiming a clean sheet.
CB: Rita Mankowska (Heidelberg United)
Two clean sheets from two fixtures this weekend marks a good return for Heidelberg United, who are looking at making a late charge for the NPLW finals series. An ever-present across both games (playing the full 180 minutes), she was on hand to scupper any attacks and was rarely beaten one-on-one.
LB: Tyla-Jay Vlajnic (Calder United)
The Calder full-back was at her brilliant creative best, as she contributed to not only a clean sheet against Galaxy United, but also to the 3-0 scoreline, by supplying an assist and a goal. Shared set-piece duties with Rachel Alonso; taking one corner to supply an assist to Kasha Meyer, then latching onto the end of a free-kick to head a brilliant goal past Katie Neville.
CM: Sienna Fogarty (Alamein FC)
Fogarty displayed great composure on the ball to combine well with the front third and spark attacks. Emma Runnalls profited from her service all day, as did the rest of the Alamein attackers, as she won the battle against Tessa Sernio in the midfield.
CM: Julia Nicolaci (Heidelberg United)
A three goal return this weekend marks a fine two fixtures for Julia Nicolaci, who netted once in the win against Box Hill United, then grabbing a double against the Senior NTC in a 2-0 win. A superb week from the attacking midfielder.
RW: Hannah Keane (Alamein FC)
Alamein looked to Keane whenever they needed an outlet in attack and proved an absolute nightmare for her direct opponent Olivia Ellis – not bad competition to be taking down. She provided the assist for the first goal, before coming off in the second half with what appeared to be a knee injury.
AM: Saphri Lines (Southern United)
Was able to use her surpreme physicality to bully the sleight in comparison Bayside defence as the game wore on. She broke the lines with speed and scored the equalising goal for Southern, and looked the most likely to spark the comeback, so it proved.
LW: Steph Galea (Heidelberg United)
The winger has had a brilliant couple of weeks, and was great in both wins against Box Hill United and the Senior NTC. Provided a pace injection and plenty of drive down the right, and good service in a week in which Heidelberg netted five times. Shifts onto the left side for this weeks team.
Bench:
Celia Kelsall (Southern United)
Did well to thwart the multi-faceted attack of Bayside United and was at the forefront of the action on a number of occasions to deny her opponents.
Maria Patrikis (Alamein FC)
Put in a solid display for Alamein, and earns a culminative selection off the back of a number of ‘nearly’ performances since replacing the injured Holly Richardson at right-back. Patrikis offered plenty going forward to supplement Alamein attacks, while she also proved a solid figure in defence.
Emma Robers (Bayside United)
Bayside’s brightest outfielder in the loss to Southern United, she was dynamic in midfield and added pressure on the Southern midfield, while also putting the ball into advanced positions for her teammates to capitalise on.
Brittany Dudley-Smith (Southern United)
The Kiwi forward delivered a hammer blow to Bayside United with her 92nd minute goal to give Southern United the win over Bayside United. She provided an outlet upfront for Southern United and worked tirelessly all game.
Cindy Lay (Calder United)
One Calder United’s brightest attackers against Galaxy United, Lay was involved in a lot of the passages forward, linking up with her teammates to provide a good outlet in attacking areas. Could have gotten onto the scoresheet herself were it not for a decent stop from Katie Neville.